Electrically-heated tool.



G. E. STEVENS.

ELEGTRIGALLY HEATED TOOL.

Patented Dec. 14, 1909.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 4, 1908.

HI! I H6 w t m setts, have invented certain new and usematie cutofl' switch will not be upon the hand while the tool 13 in use, I provide will only in which I have shown my invention em- UNITED sTA'rss PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. STEVENS, 0F LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OLE NEW YORK.

ELF-CTRICALLY-HEATED TOOL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14; 1909.

Application filed August 4, 1908. Serial No. 448,842.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gsonon E. S'rm'nn's, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lynn, county of Essex, State of .Jassarhin ful Improvements in Electrically-Heated Tools of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electrically heated tools and the like and has for its object the provision of a device of this charactor in which the electric current is automatically cut oil when the tool is not in use in a sim le and eflicient manner.

One 0 the objects of my invention is to provide an electrically-heated tool in which the current is applied when the handle of the tool grasped and automatically cut off when, the handle is released.

In order that the pressure'oi' i116 automeans whereby the circuit is latched closed, the-arran ement being such that the circuit e opened when the handle is entirely released while permitting the artial removal of the pressure without aecting the switch.

Another object of my invention is to utilize the connecting plug which is commonly used on tools of this character so that the connecting lug will be moved toward and from the fixed terminals to make and break the circuit as the handle is grasped and released.

Other objects pf my invention will appear in the course of the following specification bodied in concrete form for, purposes of. illustration.

In the accompanying drawing in which l have shown my invent-ion in connection with a flat-iron, Figure l'represents a side vation partly in section of my fiat-iron with the switch 0 on; Fig. 2 represents a side elevation witli the switch closed; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the latch.

Referring to the drawing, 10 represents an electrically'heated flat-iron provided with fixed terminals 11. The particular construction of this flat-iron forms no art of my invention but for purposes of i1 ustration I have shown an iron such as is shown an described in the patent to Vogel Jo. (lqjiperating with the fixed termi a connecting member 19. to which are secured the flexible leads 13 for connecting with a source of current. This member 12 may be of suitable CQllSLl'llClllOll, such for instance as that disclosed in my application Serial No. This member 12 is supported upon a spring member 14 secured to he handle at 15 so that the member 12 will be normally pressed away from the terminals A. latch 16 is slidably mounted on the sprin so as to engage a shoulder 17 on the nandie and latch the member-12 in engagement with the terminals 1.1 to'elose the circuit. The spring 14 is forced downward and latched by an actuating device in connection with the handle of the iron consisting of a member 18, preferably of insulating material, shaped so as to be easily graspeo by the hand. This member is pivoted to the fixed portion of the iron at 1'9 and is spring-pressed away from the fixed portion of the handle by a spring 20, prefer ably lighter than the spring 1%. A finger 21 is pivoted to the end of member 18 at 22 so that its free end passes through the member 14 and through a slot 23 in the latch. This finger is so shaped at its free end that as it is forced downward it slides the latch toward the shoulder 17 and at the same time forces the spring 14 downward. A. guide 24 for the finger is fixed to the handie so as'to control the movement of the finger. Upon its return movement the finger 21 moves independently of the latch for a certain distance due to the shape of the finger so that when the member 14 and finge'r 21 reach the position shown in Fig. 1, the latch is tripped. lVhen the operator rasps the handle the member 18 is forced downward against the tension of the spring 20. This forces the spring 14 downward so that the connector 12 engages the terminal 11. When the parts reach the position shown in Fig. 9., the latch 16 is moved into engagementwith shoulder 17 so as to hold them in this position. Pressure on the memher 18 may now be reduced and-the operator need not grasp the handle so firmly. Thespring .20 being light... the member 18 presses lightly against the hand of the operator. If; however, the operator should entirely release the handle, the member 18 would move to the outer limit of its movement and trip the latch to open the circuit.

Vi e have described my invention in connection with a specific form of tool and as operating in a definite way, it should be understood that I do not limit my invention thereto since various modifications will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope oi? which is set forth in the annexed claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

l. The combination with an eleetricallyheated tool ot' a circuit controlling switch theretor arranged to he moved to operative position when the handle of said tool is;

graspeth .a device forlatehing said switch the switch when the handle is released but remains latched during the application of any slight pressure.

3. The combination with an electrically heated tool of a switch s ding-pressed to open position, a latch for holding the switch in closed position and a tripping device for moving the latch in two directions, said device borne movable independently a predetermined amount before moving the latch to the spring tension before moving the l latch to release the switch.

The con'ibination with an electrically heated flat iron provided with terminal pins, of a spring member secured thereto, an attaching plug carried by said member and normally out of engagement with said pins, a latch movable upon said member into and out of engagement with a fixed part of the iron to lock and release the same and a spring pressed member associated with the handle for moving said latch.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of August, 1908.

GEO. E. STEVENS.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. McMANUs, J12, ROBERT SHANI). 

